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V  V 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  | 
Princeton,  N.  J.    W*^ 


%      Bequeathed  by  the  Hon.  E.  BOUDINOT,  LL.D.     |^ 


Division 


I 


( (i.se 

'^^''^' Section.., J,-.   :  --:..{il 
/loo/.. 


i^^ 


3c.  ^' 


MR.  FRENCH'S 


Occasional  Discourse* 


taeassi 


ns^: 


10 

A' 

DISCOURSE 

PELIVERED  AT  AN  EVENING  LECTURE, 

IN  THE 

SOUTH  MEETINGHOUSE^, 

IN  PORTSMOUTH,  N.  H, 

31  JULY,  1805. 

IT  BEING  THE  EVENING  SUCCEEDING  THE  SESSION  OF] 
AN  ECCLESIASTICAL  COUNCIL  CONVENED  RESPECT- 
ING THE  SEPARATION  OF  THE 

REVEREND  TIMOTHY  ALDEN,  JUNIOR, 

FROM  HIS  PASTORAL  RELATION  TO  THE  SOUTH  CHURCH 
AND  CONGREGATION  IN  THAT  TOWN. 


BY  THE  REVEREND  JONATHAN  FRENCH,  A.  M. 

PASTOR    OF    THE    SOUTH    CHURCH    IN    ANDOVER,  MASS. 


PORTSMOUTH,   N.  H. 
PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  AND  DANIEL  TREADWELL, 

1805. 


REV.  MR.  FRENCH'S  DISCOURSE, 


ACTS  XXI,    Xiy.    THE  WILL  OF  THE  LORD  BE  DONE. 


A  PERFECT  resignation  to  the  will  of  Goe  is  the  genuine  nature* 
"-^  and  final  result,  of  the  christian  temper  ;  and  is  es&ential  to  that 
spirit  of  Christ,  without  which  we  are  none  of  his.  Many  are  the  oc- 
casions in  life,  which  call  for  the  aid  and  exertions  of  resigr.aticn,  to 
support  us  under  trials,  and  to  carry  us  through  sufferings  with  becom- 
ing fortitude.  It  is  necessary  in  the  discharge  of  various  duties  we 
owe  to  God  and  man.  Among  other  things,  the  parting  with  dear 
christian  friends  requires  the  exertion  of  this  important  christian  grace. 
Without  this  aid  the  trial  would  be  almost  insupportable.  Such  was  the 
situation  of  the  Apostle  Paul  and  his  christian  friends,  when  he  took 
leave  of  the  elders  of  the  Ephesian  Church,  at  Miletus.  Called  in  prov- 
idence to  attend  to  the  important  concerns  of  religion  at  Jerusalem,  and 
for  the  greater  enlargement  of  his  usefulness  in  the  christian  Church, 
Paul  takes  his  leave  of  them,  to  which  they  consented  with  the  greatest 
reluctance.  He  takes  leave  in  the  most  affectionate  manner,  remind- 
ing them,  that  in  faithfulness  and  with  tears  he  had  served  them,  and 
i^ad  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  to  them.  And  now  he 
must  leave  them.  The  thoughts  were  grievous  to  them,  to  whom  he 
had  preached  the  word  of  life,  and  under  whose  ministry,  they  had 
been  savingly  enlightened,  instructed  and  comforted.  But  what  add- 
ed most  to  their  affliction,  and  gave  a  keen  edge  to  all  their  griefs, 
■was  the  prediction,  that  after  he  should  leave  them,  grievous  wolves 
■would  enter  in  among  them  not  sparing  the  fiock  ;  and  that  they,  a- 
mong  whom  he  had  been  preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  should  see 
his  face  no  more  1  They  wept,  they  fell  upon  his  neck  and  kissed 
him.  But  Providence  called,  and  he  must  obey.  In  the  most  melting 
and  affectionate  manner,  I  commend  you  to  God,  said  he,  and  to  the 
■word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an 
inheritance  among  all  them  that  are  sanctified. 

On 


[    6    ] 


On  liis  way,  Paul  and  a  number  of  christian  friends  with  him,  visited 
Philip  the  Evangelist  ;  and  tarried  Avith  him  some  time.  While 
^here,  the  prophet  Agabus  foretold  the  troubles  that  Paul  would  meet 
with  at  Jarusalera.  For  although  he  was  about  to  leave  them,  he 
•was  not  about  to  leave  trouble.  Upon  this,  his  companions  and  the 
people  of  Cxsarea,  considering  his  ease  and  comfort,  rather  than  the 
Caiise,  in  which  he  was  engaged,  intreated  the  Apostle  with  tears  nQt 
to  leave  them.  Their  love  for  this  dear  servant  of  Christ,  their  con- 
cern for  his  safety  and  happiness,  and  the  painful  thought  of  parting 
with  him,  excited  the  warmest  solicitations  that  he  would  not  go  to 
Jerusalem,  The  pleasure  he  felt  at  the  prospect  of  ease  and  comfort 
among  them  ;  contrasted  with  the  labors  and  dangers,  whicli  pre- 
sented to  his  view  upon  his  leaving  them  ;  and  the  deep  afiiict)on,and 
overflowing  tenderness  expressed  for  him,  wrung  hissoul  with  distress, 
and  his  heart  was  ready  to  burst  within  him.  What  mean  ye  to 
Weep,  said  he,  and  to  break  mine  heart  ?  Pjut,  fully  persuaded  it  wa? 
the  call  of  Providence,  he  declared  his  willingness  to  suffer,  and  even 
to  die  at  Jerusalem,  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And 
•when  they  saw  he  would  not  be  persuaded,  they  ceatcd  their  imporf 
tunity,  and  with  an  holy  resij^nation,  as  becsme  the  true  dii-ciples  of 
Christ,  they  cried  out,  as  in  the  text.     The  •will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

These  v-^ords  naturally  lead  to  the  ccnsideration  of  the  great  christ- 
ian duty  of  resignation  to  the  will  of  Gob,  which  viewed  in  all  its 
lights,  opens  a  larger  field  for  discussion,  than  the  present  time  and  cir- 
cumstances will  admit.  What  is  purposed  therefore  is  only  in  brief 
to  attend, 

1.  To  a  few  things,  vvhich  are  implied  in  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God,  and, 

2.  To  suggest  a  few  things,  by  which  it  may  appear,  that  resign, 
nation  to  the  Avill  of  God  is  the  duty  of  christians  at  all  times, 

3.  Then  we  hope  it  Avill  not  be  time  unprofitably  spent  to  consider 
a  few  things  which  are  implied  in  resignation  to  the  will  of  God. 
Among  the  many  things  implied  in  this  duty,  we  may  mention  a  like- 
ness to  C'lrist  in  lieart  and  affectioa,  as  of  primary  consideration.  It 
supposes  the  Avill  to  be  bowed,  and  brought  under  subjection  to  Jesus 
('hrist.  The  hearts  and  wills  of  mankind  are  naturally  hard,  selfish 
rnd  obstinate  ;  but  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  supposes  the  heart 
to  be  changed  and  softened,  tb.e  will  to  be  bowed,  the  temper  meliora-. 
tcdj  and  brou^^lit  into  a  beautiful  conformity,    and  sweet  subjection  to 

Jesus 


1    7    ] 


Sesus  Christ  through  the  power  of  the  divine  spirit  and  instrunichtalfo 
(Jr  of  the  means  of  grace.  The  spirit  of  Christ  has  then  taken  reiU 
dence  in  the  heart.  If  we  have  arrived  at  this,  tlie  same  spirit  dwells 
in  us,  that  dwelt  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  and  it  is  become  our  meat  and  drink 
to  do  the  will  of  our  Father  in  heaven. 

2.  Resignation  to  the  will  of  God  implies  a  full  belief  in  the  wis- 
dom and  perfection  of  the  divine  government  ;  that  God  in  his  holy- 
providence  rules  over  all  things,  and  orders  all  things  according  to 
tlie  counsel  of  his  own  "will,  in  the  wisest  and  best  manner.  The  di- 
vine government  extends  so  minutely  overall  the  works  of  God's  hands, 
that  a  sparrow  cannot  fall  to  the  ground  w^ithout  his  notice  ;  and  by 
him  the  hairs  of  our  heads  ai'e  all  numbered.  No  event  ever  did,  or 
can,  or  will  take  place  in  the  universe  without  his  knowledge,  and 
Without  his  commissive  or  pei'missive  will.  As  the  whole  universe  is 
within  the  limits  of  his  government,  so  he  will  ever  act  with  infinite 
wisdom,  and  overrule  all  things  for  his  own  gloiy  atid  the  final  gOod 
of  his  church.  He  hath  given  an  unfailing  promise,  that  all  things 
shall  work  together  for  good  to  them,  who  love  him.  Whatever  kind 
or  degree  of  diiFiculty  the  children  of  God  may  be  called  to  Avade 
thi'ough  in  this  life  ;  however  dark  or  distressing  the  prospects  be'- 
fore  them  may  at  any  time  appear  ;  an  holy  resignation,  witli  an  en- 
tire confidence  in  the  wisdom  of  divine  government  will  say,  t/ie  %vill 
of  the  Lord  be  done. 

3.  Resignation  implies  a  ready  compliance  with  duty  of  whatev- 
er kind  oi"  nature.  They  who  are  of  this  blessed  temper  will  never 
dispute  the  divine  will  in  any  thing.  They  may  indeed  in  many  im- 
portant instances  be  at  a  loss  to  know  what  is  duty.  But  whcnever 
this  is  the  case,  the  door  is  open  to  seek  direction.  If  any  man  lack 
•wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  who  givcth  to  all  men  liberally  and  bp- 
braideth  not  ;  and  it  shall  be  given  him.  The  children  of  God,  under 
the  influence  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  will  be  solicitious  to  know  theii* 
duty,  and  will  spare  no  pains  in  a  proper  manner  to  find  it  out.  In 
the  name  of  Jesus  they  will  pray.  Lord,  what  we  know  not  teach 
thou  us  ;  Lord,  what  will  thou  have  us  to  do  ?  And  having  in  the 
best  manner  they  could  arrived  at  a  satisfactory  knowledge  of  their  du-= 
ty,  they  never  hesitate  to  perform  it. 

4. True  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  implies  a  readiness  to  relin- 
quish our  own  private  worldly  interests  and  every  earthly  comfort, 
however  near  or  dear  to  us,  if  called  to  it  for  the  glory  of  God   and 

the 


t    8    5 

1*16  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.*  When  Providence  cal^ 
Slothing  should  be  withheld.  Temporal  interests,  and  worldly  sinister 
views  should  never  constrain  us  to  withhold  any  thing  from  God, 
•which  he  calls  for.  The  believer' indeed  has  no  interest  separate  from 
Christ ;  for  the  interest  of  Christ  and  of  believers  is  one. 

True  resignation  also  implies  great  self  denial.  If  any  man  will 
come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  the  cross  and  follow 
me.  All  temporal  interest  and  comfort,  and  even  life  itself  must 
be  given  up  at  the  call  of  Christ.  Whosoever  will  save  his  life,  rather 
than  part  with  it  for  Christ,  shall  lose  it ;  but  whosoever  shall  lose 
his  life  for  my  sake,  saith  Christ,  shall  find  it.  In  a  word,  resig- 
nation to  the  vvill  of  God  implies  an  acquiescence  in  divine  Providence, 
a  cheerfulness  in  doing  his  will,  and  readiness  to  suffer  for  his  sake, 
saying,  as  theholy  brethren  did,  when  parting  with  their  dearly  beloved 
Apostle,  the  ivill  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

Having  thus  mentioned  a  few  things  implied  in  true' resignation  td 
the  will  of  God,  I  would  now, 

2,  Suggest  a  few  things,  by  which  it  may  appear,  that  resignation 
to  the  will  of  God  is  the  duty  of  christians  at  all  times.  Many  thingis 
might  be  suggested  to  show  this  to  be  a  duty,  but  circumstances  will 
permit  me  to  nfiention  the  following  only,  a*!, 

1.  God  is  the  author  of  our  beings,  and  all  we  have  or  enjoy  are  from 
him.  We  are  his  by  creation,  preservation  and  redemption  ;  and 
ought  therefore  to  glorify  him  in  our  bodies  and  spirits  which  are  his, 
by  an  entire  and  unreserved  resignation  to  his  will. 

2.  God's  government  and  providence,  and  all  his  dealings  and  dis- 
pensation's toward  us  are  perfectly  right  and  infinitely  wise.  These 
considerations  oug"Iat  ever  to  compose  the  mind,  and,  and  cause  it  to 
rest  in  God  with  a  holy  resignation  to  his  will. 

3.  That  God  designs  the  greatest  happiness  of  his  church,  in  all 
his  providences  towards  it,  shows  it  to  be  the  duty  of  his  children  to  be 
designed  to  him.  God  is  love.  Pie  is  lovely  in  himself,  lovely  in  his 
laws  and  in  all  his  ways  ;  and  ought  therefore  to  be  loved  by  all  his 
creatures  in  such  a  m:inner,  as  shall  lead  them  to  take  delight  in  his 
will,  and  to  be  resigned  to  it  in  all  things.  This  is  a  duty  in  times  of 
the  deepest  affliction  as  well  as  in  the  days  of  prosperity.  There  is  no 
difficulty  in  feeling  resigned  to  God,  when  we  are  in  easy  circum- 
stances 

*  Ses  a  note  at  ths  end  of  this  discourse)  page  14, 


I    5    ] 

'stances  and  our  condition  is  flourishing.  But  when  reduced  to  straiti 
and  difficulties ;  when  clouds  of  adversity  hang  heavily  over  us  ;  when 
called  to  distressful  selfdenying  scenes ;  and  to  part  with  mercies, 
•which  we  greatly  set  our  hearts  and  affections  upon ;  then  is  the  time 
to  try  our  christian  graces,  and  to  put  our  resignation  to  the  test. 
Happy  they,  who  at  such  a  time  can  bow  submissive,  and  say,  the  luili 
of  the  Lord  be  done. 

This  duty  may  be  exemplified  by  reciting  a  few  of  the  many  in- 
stances recorded  in  the  sacred  scriptures  for  our  instruction.  Whea 
Aaron,  in  a  sudden  and  awful  manner,  was  called  to  part  with  his 
sons,  he  held  his  fuace.  Not  a  murmuring  word  escaped  his  lips. 
When  the  most  awful  judgment  was  denounced  against  the  house  of 
Eli,  by  the  mouth  of  the  prophet,  with  a  calm  resignation  Eli  I'eplied, 
it  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good.  When  David  was 
treated  in  the  most  perfidious  manner  by  wicked  Hanun,  and  the  Am- 
monites and  Assyrians  combined  to  destroy  him,  David  encoui'aged 
his  people  and  said,  let  us  play  the  men  for  our  people,  and  for  the  ci- 
ties of  our  God  :  and  the  Lord  do  that  which  seemeth  him  good.  At 
another  time,  when  flying  from  his  unnatural  son  Absalom,  the  Priests 
and  the  Levites  being  with  David  bearing  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of 
God  ;  the  king  commanded,  saying,  carry  back  the  ark  of  God  into 
the  city  ;  If  I  shall  find  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  he  will  bring 
me  back  again,  and  show  me  both  it,  and  his  habitation.  But  if  he  thus 
say,  I  have  no  delight  in  thee  ;  behold  here  am  I,  let  him  do  to  me 
as  seemeth  good  unto  him.  Job  was  another  remarkable  instance.  He 
was  bereft  of  every  thing.  The  Sabeans  seized  upon  his  cattle,  and 
slew  his  servants  with  the  edge  of  the  sword.  Fire  from  heaven  killed 
his  sheep,  and  the  servants,  who  attended  them.  The  Chaldeans  car- 
ried away  his  camels,  and  slew  the  servants.  A  whirlwind  destroyed 
his  house,  which  in  falling  killed  all  his  sons  and  daughters.  Under  these 
complicated,  and  unparalleled  bereavements,  see  the  power  of  resig- 
nation. He  fell  Upon  the  ground  and  worshiping,  said,  naked  came  I 
out  of  my  mother's  womb,  and  naked  shall  I  return  thither  ;  the  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  LORD. 
But  the  most  remarkable  instance  of  resignation  among  all  examples 
recorded  in  the  old  testament  is  perhaps  that  of  Abraham's  offering 
up  his  son  Isaac.  Abraham  was  not  merely  required  to  relinquish  hii 
B  Bocietyj 


r  '0  ] 

society,  find  the  aid  and  assistance,  which  an  aged  father  expected 
from  him.  He  was  not  about  to  part  with  him  that  he  might  go  into 
some  distant  countr7,  no'more  to  return  ;  nor  was  he  to  be  taken  from 
liim  by  sickness, 'nor  a  natural  death.  These  circumstances  would 
have  been  afeicting.  They  woiild  have  excited  all  the  tender  passions 
ahd  every  human  feeling  ;  and  nature'  would  have  been  I'eluctant  at 
the  tSiought.  But  Abraham  must  part  with  his  Son,  in  a  manner  as 
rtiuch  more  trying  and  distressful,  as  we  can  conceive.  'Take  now  thy 
Son,  thine  only  Son,  whom  thou  lovest,  and  get  thee' into  the  land  of' 
Moriah,  said  the  Almighty,  and  offer  him  there  for  a  burnt  offering. 
Isaac  was  no  doubt  an  agreeable  person,  a-pleasant  child.  He  might 
have  possessed  every  qualification  to  flatter  the  hopes,  aud  raise  the 
CKpectations  of  a  fond  father.  Abraham  was  no  doubt  as  affectionate 
a'  father,  as  was  ever  blessed  with  so  dear  and  dutiflil  a  son.  This 
■was  not  all.  Isaac  was  a  son  of  the  promise.  All  the  blessings  of  the 
new  covenant  to  him  and  his  seed  were  expected  from  the  Messiah 
through  this  Son.  Moreover,  he  was  himself  to  be  the  executioner  of 
the  divine  command  and  to  sacrifice  his  Son  with  his  own  hand.  All 
these  circumstances  combined,  exhibited  a  scene  as  self-denying  and 
affecting,  as  any, -of  which  we  have  read  or  heard.  But  Abraham 
possessed  a  resignation  to  God  that  overcame  every  selfish  passion 
and  every  sinister  motive.  Abraham  laid  upon  Isaac  the  wood  for  the 
burnt  offering,  and  took  the  fire  and  the  knife  in  his  hand,  and  both 
■went  on  "together.  As  they  passed  along,  Isaac  ignorant  of  the  de- 
sign, called  to  his  father  saying,  my  Father,  and  he  said,  here  am  I, 
my  Son.  Behold,  saidlie,  the  fire  and  the  wood,  but  where  is  the  lamb 
ff)r  the  burnt-offering  ?  He  little  suspected  that  he  was  to  be  tlie  lamb. 
What  must  Abraham  have  felt  at  this  innocent  affectiag  question  .^ 
Abraham  replied,  as 'soon  as  he  could  I'eply,  concealing  as  nmch  a's 
possible  the  emotion  of  his  soul.  My  Son,  God  will  provide  himself 
a  lamb.  When  they  came  to  the  place  of  destination,  Abraham  built 
an  altar,  and  laid  the  wood  in  order.  Now  the  tr}ing  dreadful  scene 
approaches.  The  time  is  come!  All  the  strength  of  faith,  self-denial, 
fortitude  and  resignaiion  ai'e  called  for.  Abraham  shrank  not  from 
the  task.  He  took  his  Son,  his  tender,  his  pleasant,  his  dearly  beloved 
Son,  and  bound  him  with  his  own  hands,  laid  upon  the  wood,  and  O 
the  power  of  faith,  strtiched  forth  his  handj  took  the  knife,  and  was 

just 


J¥§t  ready  to  gjve  the  fatal  stroke,  wben,  Q  the  infiiilte  wisclom  anc^ 
mercy  of  God  1  At  tiie  cudciil  moment,  an  c\ntj,el  called  to  him  cut  of 
Jjeayenysaying,  Abraham,  Abraham,  lay  not  tiiiiie  hand  upon  the  lad, 
neither  do  thou  any  thing  unto  him;  for  new  I  know  that 
thou  fqarest  God  ;  heeing  ,thou  bast  not.  withheld  thy  Son,  thine  cnly^ 
Son  from  me ! ,  How  did  Gou  stiiilc  upon  Abraham's  fnith  and  resig- 
nation !  By  myself  have  I  sworn  saith  the  Lord,  that  in  blessing,  I 
•will  bless  thee,  and  in  multiplying  I  will  muUiply  thy  seed  as  the  star^ 
of  heaven  ;  and  iii,  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  bless? 
ed  :  .because  thou  hast  obeyed  my  voice. 

By  T  the  greatest  example  of  resignation  ever  exhibited  before  thg 
Viniverse  w^-s  that  of  t^e  blesgcd.  Je  :us,  who  spared  not  his  owpi  life, 
Jjut  gave  it  up  to  muke-  that  sacrifice  for  sin,  which  was  typified  by 
.the  sacrifice  required  of  Abraham.  The  sufferings  before  him  were? 
so  great,  that  at  the  anticipation  of  them,  he  sweat  asit  were  drops  o^ 
Jilood  falling  down  upon  tiic  ground.  They  extorted  from  him  this  pe- 
tition, O  my  Ffither,.  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  fi-opi  me. 
But  mark  his  resignation.  Nevertheless,  not  as  I  will  but  as  thou  wilt  ; 
not  my  will,  hut  thiaq  be  done..  F&ther,  glorify  thy  name,  Greatey 
love  than  thii^,  said  Ue,^  hath  no  man,  that  a  man  lay.  down  Ids  life  foi? 
his  friend.  This  is  my  commandment  that  ye  love  one  another,  as  I 
have  loved  you..  How  did  the  blessed  Apos'tles  and  disciples  of  Jesits  obey 
.his  precepts  and  follow  his  examples,  They  exercised  the  most  un,- 
. feigned  resignation  to  the  divine,  will.  l>ey  gave  up  all,  and  did  not 
■withhold  even  their  own  lives,  when  the  glcry  of  God  called  for  thenv 
What  a  resigned  temper  did  the  brethren  show  when  called  to  part 
with  their  beloved  friend,  whose  face  they  never  expected  to  seQ 
.again  ?  Notwithstanding  the  distress  of  parting  and  the  melancholy 
prospects,  which  w^ere  before  both.him  and  them  they  calmed  their 
.  niinds,  put  their  trust  in  God^  and.resigiied  him,  saying,  ihc  will  ofthp 
J^ord  be  done. 

What  an  holy  and  entire  resignation  to  the  will  of  QoD  sl\puid  v/e^ 
exercise  and  exhibit,  who  have  such  numerous  precepts,  such  bright 
examples,  and  such  weighty  arguments,  placed  before  us  in-Gon's  word. 
May  we  at  all  times  even  under  the  most  afflictive  providences  con- 
sider, that  we  have  no  interest  separate  from  Christ's.  We  have  no 
interest  in  the  universe  but  what  is  involved  in  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.    Let  us  at  all  times  be  ready 

to 


f^      12      J 

«o  resign  every' thing  to  God  and  withhold  nothing,  which  his  provi-i 
dence  and  the  intesest  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  call  for. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  expected  that  something  more  particular  may 
be  said,  with  respect  to  the  present  occasion.  But  this  has  been  in  3 
great  measure  superseded  by  the  result  of  council,  hereafter  to  be 
communicated.  Other  considerations  may  also  I'ender  it  improper. 
The  speaker  is  too  great  a  stranger  to  the  number  and  abilities,  to  the 
moral  and  religious  state  of  this  church  and  people,  to  be  able  to  say 
much  correctly  concerning  them.  You  will  permit  me  however  to  ob- 
serve that  you  are,  perhaps  too  readily,  about  to  part  with  an  able, 
learned,  and  I  trust  faithful,  minister  of  Christ  in  a  difficult  day,  a  day 
when  schismatics  and  sectarians  swarm  through  the  country.  The  ad- 
versary of  souls  as  a  i-oaring  lion  seeks,  whom  he  may  devour.  Dissipa- 
tion, laxity  of  sentiments  and  discipline,  of  morality  and  of  pure  and  un- 
defiled  religion  are  prevalent.  Infidelity,  disregard  to  the  gospel  and  its 
institutions,  profanity,  intemperance,  and  numerous  other  vices  are  in- 
creasing. Iniquity  abounds,  and  the  love  of  many  is  waxen  cold.  At 
this  critical  time  you  are  about  to  be  rendered  destitute  of  a  stated 
ministry  of  the  blessed  word  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  How  much 
will  the  aged,  the  sick,  the  infirm,  and  others,  need  the  counsel  and 
sympathy  of  a  faithful  minister  !  How  much  will  the  young  need  the 
warnings  and  instructions  of  a  spiritual  guide  ?  How  much  will  you 
need  a  wise  and  watchful  shepherd  to  take  care  of  the  sheep  and  the 
lambs  ;  lestgrievous  wolves  should  enter  in  among  you,  not  sparing 
the  flock.  Under  all  these  difficulties,  you  cannot  be  benefited  by  the 
public  labors  of  your  aged,  venei'able  and  beloved  senior  pastor,  by 
reason  of  his  years  and  infirmity.  Is  it  not  to  be  feared  and  appre- 
.  liended,  that  you  are  not  fully  sensible  of  your  situation  ?  The  thought 
is  painful,  I  shall  not  pursue  it.  May  you  be  prospered.  May  you  be 
enabled  and  disposed  to  a  resettlement  of  the  ministry,  and  to  afford 
an  honorable  support  to  the  gospel. 

May  the  comforts  of  God  be  the  support  of  your  aged  senior  pas- 
tor,  the  residue  of  his  days  ;  and  when  his  sun  of  life  shall  sit,  may  it 
go  down  with  a  smile  ;  may  he  then  be  admitted  to  the  rewards  of  a 
faithful  servant  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

May  the  blessings  of  him,  who  will  never  leave  nor  forsake  them, 
vho  trust  in  him,  rest  upon  your  worthy  junior  pastor  and  his  family. 

May 


[ 


5  i: 


May  God  Almighty  long  delight  in  his  life,  make  his  usefulness  Iti 
this  world  eminent,  and  reward  him  -vvith  glory,  and  honor,  and  eter- 
nal life  in  the  world  to  come. 

We  commend  you  of  this  church  and  congregation  to  God  and  to 
the  word  of  his  grace,  who  is  able  to  l.uild  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an 
inheritance  among  all  them  that  are  sanctified,  through  Jesus  Christ»^ 
To  him  be  glory  and  praise  forever. 

AMEN. 


r  H  3r 


NOTE. 

*.  Some  have  carried  this  matter  so  far,  as  to  suppose  that  a  man 
eanBOt  be  a  good  man,  or  have  any  true  love  for  God,  unless  he  should  . 
jfeel  himself  willing  to  be  damned^and  cast  off  forever,  if  God's  glory, 
ibould  require  it,  Strange  idea  !  Yet  some  fancy  this  sentiment  is  ex  ■* 
pressed  or  implied  in  scripture,,  in  the  cases  of  Moses,  and  of  Pau\. 
But  they,  who  think  so,  must  in  my  opinion  have  gro-atly  mistaken  the 
sense  both  of  Moses  and  of  Pairt.  «  \Ve  injure  the  character  of  Mos- 
es much,  if  we  think  him  either  so  ignorant  of  a  future  state,  or  so 
negligent  of  his  own  salvation,  as  to  wi.sh  himself  damned  in  his  de- 
precation of  God's  judgments  for  their  salvation."  The  case  of  Mos- 
es was  this.  When  God  threatened  to  destroy  the  Israelites  for  their  sin 
in  worshiping  a  molten  calf,  Moses  pr*^.  Exod.  xxxii,  32.  O  thjis 
people  have  sinned  a  great  sin  ;  yet  now,  if  thou  wilt  forgive  their 
T5ins,  if  not,  blot  me,  I  pray  thee,  out  of  the  book,  which  thou  hast  writ- 
ten." It  was  thf:  antient  custom  of  the  Jews  to  register  the  names  of 
the  people  in  a  book.  Those  whose  names  were  thus  registered  were 
said,  Isaiah  iv.  3.  to  be  written  for  life,  or  among  the  living  ;  and 
ivhen  any  one  died, they  blotted  his  name  out  this  book.  Now  such  was 
the  great  concern  and  love  of  Moses  for  the  people,  that  he  had  rath- 
er God  would  take  away  his  life,  or  blot  his  name  from  the  register 
of,  the  living,  than  to  spare  him  to  witness  so  great  a  calamity,  as  the 
execution  of  God's  threatened  judgment  against  them.  But  as  to 
■wishing  himself  damned,  I  do  not  believe  the  thought  entered  his  heart. 
He  was  too  well  acquainted  with  the  will  of  God  to  utter  or  even  con- 
ceive such  an  idea. 

The  other  instance  alluded  to  is  in  Rom.  ix.  3.  where  the  Apostle 
Paul,  expressing  his  vehement  desire  for  the  salvation  of  the  Jews,  says, 
I  could  wish  myself  were  accursed  from  Christ,  for  my  brethren,  my 
kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh.  I  shall  not  go  into  a  detail  of  the  var- 
ious interpretations  of  this  text.  I  shall  only  observe  that  it  is  clear  in 
my  mind,  that  Paul  here  spake  in  that  well  known  figure,  often  made 
use  of  in  scripture,  called  hyperbole.  I  would  mention  a  few  instances 
of  this.  It  is  said  there  were  seven  thousand  Benjamites  every  one  of 
whom  could  sling  a  stcne  at  an  hair  and  not  miss.  That  is  they 
■v^'cre  men  of  grcr.t  skill  in  the  use  of  the  sling.   Saul  and  Jonathan  were 

said 


I    X5-^ 


tsakl  to  be  swifter  than  eagles,  and  stronger  than  lions.  The'meaning 
is  they  were  men  of  great  strength  and  agility.  The  Lord  said  to 
the;Israelites,  they  should  go  over  Jordan,  and  possess  cities  fenced  up 
to  heaven,  i,  e.  whose  v/alls  were  very  high.  Describing  the  sailors 
in  a  storm,  says  the  Psalmist,  they  mount  up  to  heaven,  and  then  go 
down  again  to  the  depths  ;  meaning  that  waves  ran  exceedingly  high. 
John  says  that  if  all  that  Jesus  did  were  written,  the  world  would  not 
contain  the  books.  Tiie  meaning  is,  if  all  Jesus  said  and  did  were 
■written  they  would  fill  many  volumes.  I  take  the  words  of  Paul  ia 
this  famous  text  to  be  no  other  than  an  elegant  divine  hyperbole,  de- 
signed to  show  the  ardor  of  his  desire  for  the  salvation  of  the  Jews. 
But  Moses  and  Paul  too  well  knew,  that  their  eternal  destruction  could 
not  affect  the  salvation  of  the  Jews,  ever  to  entertain  such  a  wish.  We 
therefore  conclude  that  those  two  great  and  inspired  men  never 
meant  to  convey  such  an  idea. 

I  will  add  fcxrther,  I  do  not  believe  that  any  man,  who  understands, 
and  considers  the  true  import  of  the  plirase,  can  or  will  dare  to  say, 
he  is  willing  to  be  damned  from  a  real  sense  of  love  to  God,  and  re- 
signation to  his  will.  This  would  be  as  much  as  to  say,  I  have  such  an 
ardent  love  for  God,  that  to  promote  his  glory,  I  am  willing  to  become 
his  eternal  enemy.  I  am  willing  to  become  like  devils  and  damned 
spirits,  and  with  them  to  lie  down  in  hell  and  blaspheme  God,  and  do 
all  that  a  damned  spirit  can  do,  to  oppose  his  will,  his  kingdom  and 
glory  to  all  eternity  1  The  thought  is  horrid  !  It  is  almost  enough  to 
make  the  blood  chill  in  the  veins  I  But  it  will  be  said  perhaps,  we  do 
not  mean  so,  we  mean  only  that  (fit  were  the  Avill  of  God;  that  if  his  glo- 
ry required,  then  a  good  man  must  be  willing  io  be  and  to  do  all  this. 
It  is  replied  that  this  is  neither  logical  nor  theological.  I  therefore  deny 
the  hj'pothesis,  and  say,  it  is  not  a  supposable  case  ;  for  it  is  solemn- 
ly declared,  that  he  who  believeth  in  Jesus  shall  be  saved.  It  is  there- 
fore no  part  of  christian  resignation,  that  any  person,  who  truly  loves 
God,  should  be  willing  to  be  damned. 


FINIS. 


y. 


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